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I barely have time to acknowledge what he's done before he's stepped back.
"Hmm, and straighten again."
I'm all to happy to oblige this request as he rounds to face me. His eyes dip lower to the swell of my breasts.
"Perky little things, aren't they," he muses reaching out to run a long nail along the very edge of where my breasts meet my neckline. "I suppose they'll do. Now, lift your skirts."
My pounds in my ears. Surely, I didn't hear him right.
"What?" I ask, the word barely a whisper.
"Lift your skirts. Don't make me ask again."
My hands clench, grabbing fistfuls of the brown fabric, but I refuse to obey.
"No."
The next thing I know, I find myself sprawled across the floor, my ears ringing from the force of his strike.
"I told you not to make me ask again," Lord Payne says, his voice barely audible through the din in my head.
Still in shock, I hardly notice as he moves to stand over me. Yanking my skirts up over my hips, he leaves me utterly exposed to him. I bite back tears, forcing myself to look away even he continues to stare, cocking his head to one side in thought. Finally straightening, he steps away.
I just barely manage to regain enough control of myself to cover myself before he throws open the door.
"She'll do," he announces.
Merelda is all smiles and grace as she ushers him toward a chair, shooting a look my way in the process. My blood running cold within my veins, I want nothing more than to run from this room and never look back, but I have no choice but to join Merelda as she settles upon the faded settee.
I flinch as her hand comes to rest on my shoulder. I'm sure it's meant to as a display of motherly love for Lord Payne, but I can feel her holding me in place.
"About the betrothal," Merelda starts.
"I'd like to marry as soon as possible," he says, barreling over her. "Today, in fact."
If my stomach wasn't empty, I'd spew its contents all over them both at this. As it is, I'm simply left shaking beneath Merelda's hand.
"I appreciate your enthusiasm," Merelda tries again, giving him a small nod, "but I fear we can't allow that."
Lord Payne's eyes flash as he stares Merelda down.
"And why ever not?"
"The scandal," she answers hurriedly. "Just imagine the kind of scandal that would follow her. A rushed wedding will have the town talking, ruining the prospects of my own two sons in its wake."
Lord Payne considers her words for a moment before letting out a deep sigh.
"Of course, then what is it you suggest?"
"Well, there's also the small matter of her dowry. I can hardly imagine the loss our household will suffer with her gone. She cooks and cleans, tending to the many chores I simply cannot with an invalid husband. Without her, I fear the entire house might just fall into disarray."
"Nonsense, if that is all, then I'll see to it that her absence goes otherwise unnoticed by you or your household, Lady Godwin."
Merelda pauses for a long moment before letting out a small sob, the sound taking me entirely by surprise coming from her.
"I fear that I shall miss her dearly. She has been a great comfort to me, having no daughters of my own."
"Naturally, but I can assure you I will take great comfort in from her, too."
